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Esau Jenkins papers, 1963-2003

 Collection
Identifier: AMN 1004

Collection Overview

Printed material, correspondence, photographic materials, and literary productions (1963-2003) document the life and works of Esau Jenkins (1910-1972). The collection is divided into four small series: 1.) Biographical papers include printed tributes; death notices and materials, including funeral sermons; a compact disc of images and other papers documenting lectures and exhibits regarding Jenkins held after his death, along with programs, correspondence and related material regarding naming of buildings, services and a bridge after him. It also contains genealogical information on Jenkins and his family. 2.) Writings holds miscellaneous correspondence and notes and printed versions of his talks and writings. 3.) Affiliations contains correspondence, brochures, notes, and other data on variety of organizations he helped found or was a member of, including the Progressive Club, Citizen's Committee of Charleston, Community Organization Credit Union, Political Action Committee of Charleston County, Political Awareness League of Charleston County, and the Highlander Folks Center. Topics mentioned include the 1969 Charleston Hospital Worker's strike, and the protested death of a young African American, Robert Brown, killed by a white policeman in 1970. 4.) Miscellaneous materials include photocopies of published materials documenting life on Johns Island, South Carolina and Jenkins' role in citizenship schools run by the Highlander Center and funded by the Emil Schwarzhaupt Foundation.

Dates

  • Creation: 1963-2003

Creator

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Copyright Notice

The nature of the Avery Research Center's archival holdings means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Avery Research Center claims only physical ownership of most archival materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Biographical Note

Esau Jenkins was born to Peter and Eva Jenkins on Johns Island, South Carolina on July 3, 1910 and lived most of his life there. Upon completing the fourth grade, he began working on boat out of Charleston. As a life-long learner, Jenkins continued his through night classes and correspondence courses, becoming a businessman and civil rights leader. Jenkins married Janie Elizabeth Jones in 1926, together they had thirteen children

Jenkins founded the Progressive Club in 1948, which encouraged local African Americans to register to vote, through the aid of Citizenship Schools, a topic he was educated in by his attendance at Highlander Folk Center in Tennessee. In 1959, he organized the Citizens' Committee of Charleston County dedicated to the economic, cultural and political improvement of local African Americans. With a personal motto "Hate is Expensive, Love is Progress," Jenkins uplifted his community, helping to found the Community Organization Federal Credit Union and serving on many local boards and committees.

Jenkins died in 1972, leaving behind a large family. After his death, many institutions, programs, and a bridge were named for him.

Extent

0.5 linear feet (1 archival box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Esau Jenkins (1910-1972) was born and raised on Johns Island, South Carolina. With very little formal education, he became a businessman and civil rights leader.

The collection contains biographical papers, correspondence, writings, and information about his affliations, including the Progressive Club, Citizen's Committee of Charleston, Community Organization Credit Union, Political Action Committee of Charleston County, Political Awareness League of Charleston County, and the Highlander Folks Center. Additional material includes published materials documenting life on Johns Island, South Carolina and Jenkins' role in citizenship schools run by the Highlander Center and funded by the Emil Schwarzhaupt Foundation.

Collection Arrangement

1. Biographical Materials, 1970s-2003

2. Writings, 1967-1972

3. Affiliations, 1963-1990

4. Miscellaneous Material, 1966

Related Material

Esau Jenkins Audio Collection (AMN 500.024)

Processing Information

Processed by Ervin Barnes, June 2005, and Harlan Greene

Encoded by Melissa Bronheim, July 2010, and Amanda Ross, February 2011

Edited by Aaron Spelbring, May 2013

Funding from the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation supported the processing of this collection.

Funding from the Council on Library and Information Resources supported the collection processing and encoding of this finding aid.

Related Names

Subjects

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Inventory of the Esau Jenkins Papers, 1963 - 2003 AMN 1004
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid prepared by Processed by: Staff; machine-readable finding aid created by: Melissa Bronheim
Description rules
Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is in English
Sponsor
Funding from the Council on Library and Information Resources supported the collection processing and encoding of this finding aid.

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture Repository

https://avery.charleston.edu/
Contact:
125 Bull Street
Charleston South Carolina 29424 United States
843-953-7608

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